May is the fifth month of the year and here in the Northern Hemisphere it is the last month of spring. Late May typically marks the start of the summer vacation season in the United States and Canada. No month starts and ends on the same day of the week as May in any year. This month is the only month with these two properties. May however, starts and ends on the same day of the week as January of the following year.
In Grand Rapids the average high starts out at 65 and ends the month at 75. The average low starts out at 45 and ends the month at 54. The all time high for May is 95 on May 31, 1934 on May 28, 2018 the high reached 94. The record low of 21 was set on May 1st 1903. The most snow fall on any day in May is 5.5” and that amount fell on May 10th in 1902 and that same amount of 5.5” was reported on May 9th 1923. The record wettest May is 10.01” and that fell in May of 2001 and the driest May was in 1936 when just 0.72” fell. Here are some May top 5’s
Warmest mean temperature
- 1977 65.7
- 1896 65.3
- 1982 65.0
- 2018 64.8
- 1911 64.5
Coldest mean temperatures
- 1997 50.3
- 1924 50.7
- 1945 50.7
- 1947 51.7
- 1917 51.7
Snowiest May’s of record
- 1902 5.5”
- 1923 5.5”
- 1954 3.0”
- 1940 0.8”
- 1935 0.4”
Wettest May’s of record
- 2001 10.01”
- 2000 9.59”
- 2004 9.29”
- 1981 829”
- 1911 8.18”
Driest May’s of record
- 1936 0.72”
- 1987 0.94”
- 1925 0.98”
- 1961 1.03”
- 1971 1.05”
What can we expect to see in May? We have already had our first 70° day and on average our first 80° and the mean last 32° are day are on May 1st The latest first 80° was on June 12 1924. And the lasted 32° day was on June 4th 1945.
With is now being May this should be the end of the snow season for most of Michigan. There is still a chance of more snow more so the further north you go. But here are the totals (I hope) for the season. Grand Rapids April 2.2” for the season 55.5” Muskegon April trace for the season 51.9”. Lansing April 1.2” for the season 45.9” To our east Detroit April 4.9” season 43.2”. Flint April 1.2” season 53.7” to the north. Marquette April 21.6” for the season 205.6” and there is still 1’ reported on the ground there. In norther lower.
https://www.weather.gov/apx/snow
Late in the day yesterday Sandy (Hudsonville) posted
“I lost my bother n law who passed away. He put up a good fight to the covid-19. This past Sunday an neighbor that lived in the neighborhood where I grew up died from it too. When I see what happened in Lansing yesterday I don’t think they realized what this virus is doing to people. It is taking lives and hurting families. My sister has it but not in hospital. She has been fever free for so may days and if she continues she will be over it.”
Just goes to show you that is is not some off the wall numbers that we can not see. This is real and happening right here in West Michigan!
This is a copy from one of my comments yesterday. As MV stated while many do not like some of the guidelines that have been put in place and yes some are more difficult then others. But the fact remains we are fighting a unseen enemy and we have to use all the tools necessary to not only fight this enemy but to protect ourselves from this enemy. While I understand that many people are not working at this time but that said they are for the most part still not left out in the cold. Heck many of the unemployed are now (or will as soon as the money starts coming in) getting more now than when they were WORKING. In the past there have been many times when people were unemployed and just had to live on unemployment with NO extra $600 coming in. The real problem will be for the ones who are now unemployed, and they do NOT go back to work in the next 6 months or more. Yes boys and girls there have been times in the past were people have been unemployed for two years or more and their unemployment ran out and then the real fun starts trying to get welfare that some think is so easy to get. The one I do feel sorry for are some of the small business owners who stand a good chance of going bankrupt. But just like the our great senate majority leader sadly stated that is what the bankruptcy courts are for. (yes I am being sarcastic there)
Now for the protesters. I agree that they have a right to protest and have no problem with that. BUT when I seen that some of them carrying guns to a protest rally that really gets me hot if you will. Guns are not needed at a peaceful protest if they are carrying guns then they are NOT there to be peaceful but they are looking for violence. I have to wonder how a protest in front of the White House or the Capital Building in Washington would go if people had guns???? My guess is there would be arrests if not worse.
Slim
Get ready for a well below normal temp week, next week! Incredible cold for early to mid May!
Lol….I love it …but probably the dew point will be high or it will be windy out of the south and some will haft to have there air conditioning running because it’s May just think we are less then 5 months away from Fall Baby hell yesss! Forgot the heat ..INDY
Dang! 77 degrees at Battle Creek!
While some are stuck under a cold, dark rain cloud saying it’s going to somehow snow, it is just beautiful out here today. Mostly sunny with the temp at 70, just perfect. As for the ranting and opinions on what is happening around us, I can agree and disagree with both sides. There needs to be more working together within all levels of our government, but sadly most all of them have some sort of political agenda. We have a power hungry governor who won’t even talk with people from her own party, let alone the other party, and that… Read more »
Small business owners are in the worst place right now and for you just starting out I would think it would not be a good place to be. I know it will not make you feel any better but you are not alone in your situation. As for our governor I think she is doing a much better job then our president. But hey that is my opinion. You said soon to be owner can you still back out of you plans???
Slim
It is not a good time for a crisis with elections this year. *shakes head*
Backing out is an option, down side of that is someone else would buy the place and bulldoze it for apartments. For myself that would mean starting over somewhere else after being there for 30 years. It’s a unique situation for sure, but I have backing and support to last for quite a long time. Question is how long will this all last? Just no way to know.
You know it Slim! There is no question that she is doing a great job and far better than Trump! It is not even a close call!
We have a power hungry incompetent President!
Like I said, failure on all levels of our government to work together. Weather it be the top with our president, or down to our governor, none of them are doing anything together. Bickering or attacking each other accomplishes nothing.
Snow in the forecast next Saturday??? Great Scott I’m thinking mokkie owe’s me a apology for calling me a cold bias talking about snow coming in May lol. ….INDY
Almost 70 degrees already and it’s not even 1pm! Average high is 65.
Enjoy the next few days, because we are in store for a very cold week next week. Lows in the 30’s and highs barely low to mid fifties! Another cold Spring that is for sure!
Thanks for the post slim. Ready to head outside.
Like many we have friends on the frontline. We have a friend who left a few weeks ago for NY and one in Detroit both are nurses. Pray for their safety….
Another cloudy cool day we are driving on m46 north and it’s raining I have to say the weather is a little off today from sunny and 70 that was predicted …Have a super Saturday ..INDY
Nice post Slim – now in regards to guns at the protest: it is one of our rights to bear arms, however, I wonder at the intentions of those who carried AK47s and sidearms to a protest. It must have made the capitol guards uncomfortable to say the least. I am all for carrying sidearms if you are properly trained and registered, my daughter and her husband open-carry and they are certified to do so. They don’t open carry though, they keep them concealed so people aren’t made uncomfortable seeing them in public. The protest was about going back to… Read more »
There are no medal detectors at this time inside of the Michigan State Capital building. So yes one can carry a gun at this time inside of the state capital. But it is illegal to carry in a bar. And if you try to bring a gun (even with a concealed permit) into either 5/3 Ballpark or the Van Andal arena you will NOT be allowed in unless you are a working police officer. Any sports venue or any venue that seats over 2500 (not sure why that number was used)
Slim
I own firearms. However, I would never openly carry for the sole purpose of intimidation. IMO, that’s what they were going at the Capitol. Another thing, shame on them for screaming in the faces of the State Police. That is disrespectful and inexcusable.
Meanwhile, back to the weather. May is one of my favorite months. The fam and I will be outside the rest of today enjoying this glorious day. 67 and sunshine already and it’s not even noon yet.
Stay healthy, my friends.
May and September are two of the better weather months (most of the time) here in Michigan
Slim
They were blatantly showing their weapons as a way to intimidate and this should be illegal in a state or federal building! If they did that at the Whitehouse they would end up I jail! That was the most idiotic protest I have ever seen! Just plain stupid!